"You will never believe what I have gone through," he continued, as he took off his cloak, "in that dreadful carriage, always delayed by the movements of the troops, without sleep, without proper nourishment, at my age." "Well," said Count Platen, "you can now rest at least; we cannot offer you much, our head-quarters are not rich in comforts----" "But first," interrupted Monsieur de Persiany, "where is his majesty? I beg an immediate audience; I come by the command of my gracious master and emperor." Count Platen looked surprised, and listened attentively; then he exclaimed,-- "Come with me, I will at once announce your arrival to his majesty." He gave his arm to the old gentleman, who trembled from exhaustion, and assisted him in mounting the stairs leading to the upper rooms of the Schützhaus. In the ante-room Monsieur de Persiany sank into a chair. Count Platen entered the king's apartment and found him resting on a sofa. Lex sat near him, reading aloud. "Forgive me for disturbing you, your majesty," said the minister, "but Monsieur de Persiany is here at the command of the Emperor Alexander, and he requests an immediate audience." George V. rose, an expression of joy shining in his face. "How?" he cried, with animation,--"and what does he bring? let him come in!" Count Platen led the Russian ambassador into the room. "Welcome to the camp, my dear Monsieur de Persiany!" cried the king, holding out his hand to him as he entered. The old gentleman seized it, and said, in trembling voice,-- "Good God, your majesty! what times are these? how painful it is to me to see you under such circumstances!" His hand shook and tears glittered in his eyes. "Monsieur de Persiany is much exhausted by his journey, your majesty," said Count Platen. The king seated himself on the sofa, and exclaimed,-- "Pray sit down, Monsieur de Persiany, you are in want of refreshment. Lex, go and find a glass of wine." "I thank you, I thank your majesty most humbly," said the old gentleman, as he sank into a chair as if quite exhausted. "I shall find something by and by. Now let me impart to your majesty all that the emperor, my gracious master, has commanded me to say. I was to seek your head-quarters, and to assure you of his friendly sympathy." "The emperor is very good," said the king; "I recognize in this the friendship he has always shown me, and to which my whole heart responds." "The emperor commanded me," continued Persiany, with labouring breath, "to place myself at your majesty's disposal, as he understood negotiations were being carried on with Prussia, and thought the intervention of a neutral power, friendly alike to both sovereigns----" The king's brow clouded. "Negotiations have been broken off," he said. "Good heavens!" cried Persiany, "I have come too late!" And he sank back in his chair as if broken down by the thought that his fatiguing journey had been in vain.